Festive reminder: don’t forget to order your repeat prescriptions

With less than two weeks until Christmas, people are being urged to put repeat prescriptions on their ‘to-do’ lists and be prepared.

The three local NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs): Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven, Bradford City and Bradford Districts are advising people, families and carers not to leave it too late to order any repeat prescriptions they may need over the festive period and to double-check their home medicine cabinets are well stocked.

Dr Dave Tatham, clinical specialty lead for urgent care at Bradford City and Bradford Districts CCGs, said: “It’s a very busy time of year and people can easily forget to check that they have enough medication to see them through Christmas and the New Year.

“We are reminding people to request repeat prescriptions from their GP practice in the next few days so they can enjoy the festivities without the worry of running out of vital tablets and medicines.

“We are also asking everyone to ensure that they have a well-stocked medicine cabinet so that if they fall ill with common winter ailments such as colds, coughs or diarrhoea they can treat themselves at home.”

Making sure patients have enough medicines during the festive period until GP surgeries re-open can not only make a difference to patients’ health but it could also ensure doctors are not called out unnecessarily or that people are not heading to A&E when they don’t need to.

Doctors are also reminding patients the benefits of using their local pharmacies. Pharmacies are also the perfect place for a spot of Christmas ‘shopping’ when it comes to stocking up winter medicine cabinets.

The Pharmacy First scheme, which is provided by many pharmacies across Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven, provides local people with rapid access to a pharmacist who can give advice and support.

Where necessary, the pharmacist can also supply medicines without the need for a doctor’s appointment.

A number of common ailments and conditions – including coughs and colds - are covered by the scheme. The service is available to anyone who is registered at GP practice across the district: look out for stickers and posters displayed in the window of participating pharmacies.

There is lots of guidance and other helpful information about staying well during winter at: